Annual Report 2000 - Australian Veterinary Association

AVA Divisions - ACTACT DivisionThe highlight of a busy and successful year for the ACT Division wasthe passing of new domestic animal legislation and amendments tothe Animal Welfare Act (SCAMP) on November 28.Passage of the Bill was the culmination of prolonged communityconsultation in which the division participated. We also co-hosted (withRSPCA) a "Rally for Tails" outside the ACT Legislative Assembly at whichthe ACT Opposition announced its support for the new law.The Division was an instigator and active participant in developmentof the package. The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to ban thetail docking of dogs. This law is the first success in the long campaignmounted by AVA and other animal welfare organisations and ACTencourages all other divisions and relevant SIGs to follow our lead inlobbying the State and Northern Territory Governments.Our division contributed to reviews of ACT health professionalslegislation, prescription drugs in Australia, the ACT Animal Welfare Act(NCP), the role of the ACT Veterinary Surgeon and the Animal DiseaseEmergency Plan.Together with the ACT Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, wesurveyed the effects of new laws limiting availability of fireworks. Wefound that the incidence of firework-related animal incidentsincreased despite the new legislation and have recommended to thegovernment that, like other States and Territories, we effectively banthe use of fireworks.An active and well-supported meeting program explored such subjectsas surgical materials, veterinary legislation and national registration,launches of new pet foods and medications and the National WildlifeHealth Centre. Other topics included: hydatids, pest animal fertilitycontrol, implementation and effectiveness of quarantinearrangements for Olympic equestrian events and an all-day clinicalseminar run by four specialists.As well, Caroline Roberts (Australian Youth Ambassador to Thailand)and Reuben Rose (Dean at Sydney) spoke at a dinner cruise on LakeBurley Griffin.Our meetings were organised by Ian Davis and Naomi Hansen. Wewere saddened by Ian’s death in November. His funeral was very wellattended by AVA and work colleagues and a moving eulogy was givenby Kevin Doyle. The Division has planned the Ian "Bluey" Davisscientific meeting for early 2001.Conference in Hobart. Michael also convenes our awards committee.Division once again participated in a number of community activitiessuch as the RSPCA Million Paws Walk and Christmas Pet Party, ACTPound Open Day and ACT Pet Expo.Our participation in the Pet Expo was organised by John Aspley Davis,who also coordinates other areas of corporate promotion andcommunity service such as the Out of Hours Scheme, a lost and foundsegment and veterinary talkback on local radio and advertising in theYellow Pages.The Veterinary Surgeons Board, with whom we have an excellentworking relationship, also had a stand at the Pet Expo and bothorganisations received positive comments about the standard ofveterinary care in the ACT.The division has negotiated with the Doctors Heath Advisory Service inthe ACT to provide crisis counselling to veterinarians, their families andco-workers. In addition, to our existing mentoring scheme, in 2001the ACT Division will follow South Australia’s lead in establishing oneto-onementors for new graduates.We felt the loss of AVA National staff Barbara Horsfield, DanHutchinson and Pam Young, as well as some local AVA staff. ACTDivision pays for administration support from AVA National staff basedin Canberra and we are very grateful for the efforts of Doreen and herteam. The Divisional Committee has worked tirelessly, and Iparticularly wish to acknowledge the contributions of Treasurer NaomiHansen, Secretary Dick Roe and Kevin Doyle.Members of the Division are conscious of AVA’s poor membershipamong government veterinarians. We are moving to form a specialinterest group to serve them.A small but enthusiastic number of practices have delivered PetPEP tolocal schools and veterinary nurse Sue Ellis has been appointed ourlocal PetPEP coordinator.Thanks to all the sponsors who contributed so much to the Division’smeetings, newsletter and community involvement this year. Withoutthem 2000 would not have been the success it was.On a happier note, David Adamson deservedly won the ASAVAPractitioner of the Year Award, and Michael Banyard and DoreenCulliver were awarded silver trays in recognition of their longcommitment to advancing urban animal management at the UAM2000 Annual Report - Australian Veterinary Association 47